Engagement Strategies for

Online Member Participation

Presented by:

December 5, 2010

Maddie Grant, CAEChief Social Media

Strategistmaddie@socialfish.org

Lindy DreyerChief Social Media

Marketerlindy@socialfish.org

Agenda (Part 1)

1. How members are already engaging online

2. Practical ways to engage members (homebase launch strategies)

3. Promoting the AADE networks to stakeholders online

Agenda (Part 2)

Build a 6-week plan to engage members

The Online Ecosystem

Homebase + Outposts

500 million users (and counting)1,709 on AADE official pageBarbecue with family and friends32 % over 35 (Boomers fastest growing)

80 million users (and counting)432 on AADE official groupBusiness lunch70% over 35 (33% over 50!)

175 million users (and counting)704 following AADE official accountHappy hour free-for-all38% over 35

Source: Quantcast

Outposts: “The Big 3”

Your Homebase

Practical ways to engage members

(Launching your Homebase)

Engagement Strategies• Set the scene before the guests

arrive.

Engagement Strategies3 Tips for Making News Items Shareable

1.Post to the news section at least weekly.2.Mix up formats.

• Numbered Lists: Top 5… 10 Best… 3 New… • Curated links: Must-read links for January• Guest Posts: Sharlene Emerson talks about…

3.Be the first to share your own posts.

Engagement Strategies• Set the scene before the guests

arrive.

Engagement Strategies3 Tips for Jump Starting Discussions

1.Ask questions that members can answer.• Be provocative.• Share links, but don’t rely on them for

discussion.

2.Request a response in the subject line.• Keep it simple and be specific.

3.Post a new discussion topic weekly.

Finding Champions

– Who are your champions?

– Where can you find them?

– How will you recruit them?

Face-to-Face Strategies

– How might you cover F2F events before and after the event?

– How might you promote the MY AADE NETWORK at your next F2F event?

More Promotion StrategiesOne-to-one beats one-to-many.

1.Tag, you’re it! Mention people by name.• Email them a heads-up.• Curated links: Must-read links for January• Guest Posts: Sharlene Emerson talks

about…

2.Make personal requests by email to people you know could add to the discussion.

More Promotion StrategiesWord of mouth through outposts

Talkers, Topics, Tools, Take Part, Track

PART 2: 6-Week Plan

– Explanation of worksheet (10 minutes)

– Individual work time (10 minutes)

– Table discussion (20 minutes)

– Q & A (20 minutes)